BIOGRAPHY
I’m a lifelong musician with a passion for live music. In addition to performing with various music act as a musician, I teach guitar, and I also mentor singers with little to no stage performance experience that are looking to get out and perform on the local live music scene and beyond. I also facilitate drum circles through my business Rhythmic Wellness Solutions. Our clientele includes adult care facilities (autistic adults and adults with disabilities), senior assisted living facilities, and pre-kindergarten schools and/or centers. We also handle corporate events as well as private party events. (See additional details below.)
Musician:
I am a working musician that plays guitar, and sings, that is currently involved with several different music acts. Please refer to the tab titled Music Acts for a complete description of each act.
Guitar Teacher:
I am currently accepting requests for private lessons for individuals of all ages that have a strong desire to start learning how to play the guitar for the music genres classic rock, pop, blues, and country. I teach both beginner and Level 2 courses. The beginners course is for people with little to no prior experience. The Level 2 course is for those that complete the beginner course, and for those with some prior experience from other learning sources that wish to progress to the next level. in their playing. Once a student develops, and reaches a certain comfort level, I'll place them in open mic environments if they wish to play in public, rather than just for family and friends at home. I will play with students, if necessary, in those situations. Please refer to the News tab on this site to learn more about the open mic events. My main goal, and my joy in teaching beginners, is to get people started on their musical journeys. Lessons can be in person, or online through Zoom based on your preference.
NOTE:: The client service area for in person private guitar instruction is currently limited to Southern Fairfield County along the I-95 corridor from Greenwich to Fairfield, and also including the Black Rock section of Bridgeport. The geographic service area will expand over time. I am, however, also available to provide lessons on-line via the internet through Zoom, regardless of your physical location.
I also teach guitar lessons publicly in group settings as well. I am currently a teacher for the Stamford Public School system in their Adult Enrichment Learning Program. They offer both Beginner Guitar and Level 2 Guitar classes. he Fall Semester began on Tuesday, September 10th. The classes are held at Rippowam Middle School and they run from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. For more details, or to register, you can go to their website at: wwwstamfordadulted.org; or by calling (203) 977-4209; or in person at Old Town Hall at 175 Street in Stamford, CT, Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
I am also teaching Beginner Guitar and Level 2 guitar courses for Shane's After School Programs LLC in Darien, CT; each Wednesday afternoon/evening. There are eight sessions at one hour each and there are courses for kids, and for adults. All classes take place in the Mather Center at the Darien Town Hall. A new semester began on September 18th. Four courses are typically offered; two Beginner courses for kids ages 7 years to 15 years; a Level 2 course for kids ages 7 years to 18 years and a separate course for adults. There are also course offerings during the summoer months as well. You can check the town's website for the specific course offerings, and how to register at:
Darien Parks & Recreation (activecommunities.com
l also teach Beginner Guitar courses for Shane's After School Programs LLC in New Canaan at various school locations during the afternoons from 3:15 p.m. 4:15 p.m. There are typically six one hour sessions and they are offered to kids in the 3rd and 4th grade as part of the schools after school activities program. The classes this semester take place at East Elementary on Tuesdays, South Elementary on Wednesdays, and West Elementary on Thursdays; NOTE: The classes are only open to the students that attend the above references schools.
I have also taught weekly Beginner Guitar Classes for adults and children (ages 7 and up) at The East Norwalk Library Association in Norwalk. The classes were free to the public. This was possible due to some grant money that they received from the State Of Connecticut. Cash donations to the library are always accepted. The only requirement was that all students must bring their own guitars as the library does no have guitars available to rent to students. There are no new classes scheduled at this time. You can make inquiries to the Director at the library; Sylvia Archibald, for more details regarding the potential for new classes. She can be reached at (203) 838-0408. The East Norwalk Library is located at 51 Van Zant Street.
Live Music Performance Coach For Singers:
It's best to start off by stating what I am not; and that is that I am not a vocal coach. I have friends that teach voice lessons that I can recommend to you if you're trying to learn how to sing. Refer to the advertisement below from my very talented friend Wendy May. I work with individuals that have either had some vocal training, or they already have a good level of natural ability, that have a strong desire to get out on the local live music scene as a performing artist. My primary role is to select songs, and song keys, that are best suited for the singer's voice and to rehearse to give such individuals the confidence that they need to perform in public. Individuals that I have worked with have gone on to form their own music acts that are currently out there on the local live music scene. Please refer to the "Testimonials" tab on this site for comments by some of the people that I have worked with in the past. My main goal, and my joy in working with singers, is to see the progress in their performance abilities over time, and to see them ultimately perform out in public on their own, whether it be in an existing music act, or in a newly formed music act of their own.
NOTE:: The client service area for Live Music Performance Coach is currently limited to Southern Fairfield County along the I-95 corridor from Greenwich to Fairfield, and also including the Black Rock section of Bridgeport. The service area will expand over time.
Looking for a great voice instructor? Consider Wendy May for all of your voice lesson needs whether it be to begin to learn how to sing, or to bring your vocal chops to the next level if you are currently a singer. Wendy is one of the best female vocalists in our area, and beyond, and has many years of singing experience. Give her a call to discuss voice lesson options. You'll be glad that you did!
Drum Circle Facilitator:
My business, Rhythmic Wellness Solutions, provides drum circle sessions to promote wellness. Our clientele is primarily facilities that work with autistic adults, adults with disabilities, and assisted living senior centers, as well as local senior centers, and we also have a program for pre-kindergarten schools and centers as well. We also offer our services for both corporate events and private events. My main goal, and my joy in facilitating drum circles, is simply to bring joy into people's lives.
Here is a video of a drum circle at Abilis; a company that works with autistic adults and adults with disabilities: